Posted: Fri, Sep 5, 2003, 1:42 PM ET (1742 GMT)
An unmanned Progress cargo spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station on Thursday to carry out a month-long scientific mission. The spacecraft, called Progress M1-10 by Russia and Progress 11 by NASA, undocked from the station's Pirs module at 3:42 pm EDT (1942 GMT) Thursday. The spacecraft, which had been docked to the station since June, is carrying garbage from the station. Unlike past Progress spacecraft, which normally reenter and burn up in the Earth's atmosphere a few hours after undocking, Progress M1-10 will remain in orbit for the next month. Russian scientists plan to use cameras on the spacecraft to monitor "sites of ecological interest" on the Earth. The Progress will reenter after the monitoring is complete.

Related Links:

•  Spaceflight Now article
•  NASA ISS status report